Can I Have a Job and a Tattoo?

There’s been a lot of shade thrown at potential hires displaying ink in the past, but new and old studies predict that the employment rate for tattooed individuals is sure to rise sooner than later. Millennials are merging into the workforce and bringing their tattoos with them. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2010 reports that “[Millennials] find unique ways to express themselves,” body art being one of the most popular outlets. “Tattoos have become something of a trademark for Millennials.” The study concluded that 38% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 had at least one tattoo and 18% had six or more.

In 2013, SAGE Journals put out a study about young adults entering the workforce and found that most employers make their decisions based on what the tattoo represents, as opposed to whether or not it is visible. “Although visible tattoos still hold a degree of taboo, in the not-so-distant future they will inevitably gain greater acceptance in the wider society.” Additionally, an interviewee stated, "Tattoos are the first thing they [fellow recruiters] talk about when the person has gone out of the door." While older generations mostly disapprove of tattoos, Millennials have developed a liking for ink and “body art will become largely normalised and accepted,” in the workforce.

In March 2014, a Fox News Poll surveyed 1,002 random registered voters, asking “would you hire someone who has a visible tattoo, or not?” To that, more than 73% of people responded “yes.”